Duke Spirit

(Here’s a review of this year’s Download festival from my man, and fellow music scribe, Roman Gokhman:)

The folks behind this yearâ€™s Download Festival, held Saturday (July 19) at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, targeted fans of newer bands in the dance, alternative and Brit-pop molds, as well as fans of two of the ancestors: headliners the Jesus and Mary Chain and Gang of Four.

What they were offering was impressive: For just $20, fans could see 24 bands on two stages, as well as a comedy stage with 11 performers. And there was no downtime between performers as a rotating main stage kept set-up time to a few minutes â€“ if that.

They apparently failed at drawing fans – reportedly only a few thousand tickets were sold. Even at the peak of the show, during alt-rockers Brand New, only the lower bowl was full, with handfuls of fans in the upper bowl or in the grass.

Those who didnâ€™t come because the festival line-up was missing a bigger name or two missed out. You could have gotten you moneyâ€™s worth in just a few hours Saturday.Continue Reading →